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Wannabe reality-TV Mars colonists are highly educated

By Jacob Aron

Who wants to go to Mars? Lots of graduates, US citizens, men and young people, according to a list of applicants released by Mars One, the Dutch organisation aiming to colonise the planet by 2025, and televise the process.

The non-profit has now released details of the 705 applicants who are left after 353 wannabes dropped out for personal or medical reasons. The remaining 418 men and 287 women come from 99 different countries, though 204 are from the US.

Their ages range from 18 to 71, with 3 per cent over the age of 56 and 43 per cent between 26 and 35. That means that by 2024, when Mars One is due to launch, a candidate could beat the record for the oldest person in space, currently held by NASA’s John Glenn, who flew aged 77.

The biggest difference between the candidates and the general population is that nearly two-thirds hold a degree&colon; nine are law graduates and 12 are medics.

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The candidates will now be interviewed and split into teams of two men and two women each.